Thursday, January 05, 2017

Bill Gulick Obituary

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, came for William Breckenridge Gulick on Tuesday, December 21, 2016.

Bill endured many physical frailties throughout his later adult years, yet he persevered through the wonderful and the not so wonderful days to still be able to greet each one with a delighted smile. If asked, he would tell you that it was Christ who gave him any strength he had. He and his dear wife, Ethel, spent every waking moment serving others and seeking new ways to be helpful in this world.

Abandoned by an unknown person at about 3 to 5 months of age in Covington, Kentucky on September 15, 1930, he was taken in by Fred and Betty Gulick, who heard of his need for care. They gave him a name and chose a birthday but never officially adopted him. Living in Covington until age 12, Bill learned early in life the power of greeting life's challenges with a clear mind and a willing heart. He then lived with several families in Cincinnati until graduation from Western Hills High School in 1947.

Bill attended Cincinnati Bible Seminary, graduating in 1951, prepared to preach God's Word. In 1949, he and Ethel were married at Forest Hill Christian Church in Virginia.

In 1951, they were called to serve God in India. Together they founded the Christ Nagar Institute (a hostel for boys) where they reared, loved, and taught over 250 boys who needed care and a home, learned to speak and read Tamil, and started the Ennore Church of Christ. Several churches were also founded in India from this home congregation with local men who served as preachers. Over twenty years were spent on this mission field.

Upon returning from India in 1973, Bill was a student at the University of Cincinnati while teaching classes at the Cincinnati Bible Seminary in the Missions Department. He preached at many Ohio and Kentucky churches on weekends during those years. In 1983, Bill and Ethel moved to Virginia, where Bill served the Tri-City Church of Christ for 12 years as their preacher. After retirement in 1995, the Gulicks served the Lord every day through hospitality, visiting the ill and encouraging so many with letters, phone calls, and visits.

In May 2015, after great anguish and both facing daunting physical illnesses, decisions were made to relocate to Mason, Ohio, where the care they both needed could be provided in the type of setting they so desired. The Christian Village at Mason provided excellent care until the time of his death.

A memorial service will be held in Mason, Ohio, in the chapel at the Christian Village on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at 7pm. A second memorial service will be held in Richmond, Virginia at a later date at Bonnie Brae Church of Christ, 7610 Staples Mill Road, Henrico, VA 23228 (804) 266-0665 http://www.bonniebraechurchofchristrva.org